We are what we eat

[Deborah_]

Judaism is famous for its dietary laws. The basis of these is a list of the animals that the Israelites could and could not eat (Leviticus 11) - although there are many other rules as well.

 

Much ingenuity and speculation has gone into working out the possible reasons why certain animals were ‘off the menu’. Why are lamb and beef OK, but not pork or rabbit? And although most of us would turn our noses up at ‘creepy-crawlies’ of any kind, why make an exception for locusts? Most commentaries lay stress on the possible health benefits of avoiding certain kinds of meat, but I think these are somewhat overstated. It’s true that pork and shellfish are well-known sources of parasites, but some of the ‘clean’ animals are almost as bad (you can get tapeworm from beef and salmonella from chickens). So that can’t be the explanation.

 

In all probability, the distinctions between the ‘clean’ and the ‘unclean’ are purely arbitrary. God had called a nation out from the rest of the world to be his special people - and they needed help to maintain their distinctive identity. Dietary differences make for clear cultural boundaries; these food laws have helped the Jewish people to maintain their racial and cultural identity for over 3000 years. Under the new covenant, however, they have become irrelevant (Colossians 2:16,17). Christians have other ways of being distinctive from the surrounding culture.

 

So what we put into our mouths no longer has any spiritual implications (Mark 7:18,19) - or does it? Unless we are at or near starvation level, what we eat and drink has significance above and beyond mere nutrition. We care enormously about our food: what goes into it, how it was grown, how animals are slaughtered (or whether we should eat animals at all). How many of us use moral criteria when compiling our shopping lists? We look for the labels that identify ‘free range’, ‘organic’, or ‘fair trade’`… and we also have to bear in mind the many individuals with food allergies (real or imaginary) and the vegetarians. Suddenly the kosher restrictions don’t look so restrictive after all… 

 

Whatever the reasons for our choices, we can easily become obsessive about them. We can forget that other people are free to make different choices (Romans 14:5,6) - and that those with coeliac disease or serious food allergies don’t have a choice. 

 

But the bottom line is this: “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). 

 

[MorningGlory]

Judaism is famous for its dietary laws. The basis of these is a list of the animals that the Israelites could and could not eat (Leviticus 11) - although there are many other rules as well.

 

Much ingenuity and speculation has gone into working out the possible reasons why certain animals were ‘off the menu’. Why are lamb and beef OK, but not pork or rabbit? And although most of us would turn our noses up at ‘creepy-crawlies’ of any kind, why make an exception for locusts? Most commentaries lay stress on the possible health benefits of avoiding certain kinds of meat, but I think these are somewhat overstated. It’s true that pork and shellfish are well-known sources of parasites, but some of the ‘clean’ animals are almost as bad (you can get tapeworm from beef and salmonella from chickens). So that can’t be the explanation.

 

In all probability, the distinctions between the ‘clean’ and the ‘unclean’ are purely arbitrary. God had called a nation out from the rest of the world to be his special people - and they needed help to maintain their distinctive identity. Dietary differences make for clear cultural boundaries; these food laws have helped the Jewish people to maintain their racial and cultural identity for over 3000 years. Under the new covenant, however, they have become irrelevant (Colossians 2:16,17). Christians have other ways of being distinctive from the surrounding culture.

 

So what we put into our mouths no longer has any spiritual implications (Mark 7:18,19) - or does it? Unless we are at or near starvation level, what we eat and drink has significance above and beyond mere nutrition. We care enormously about our food: what goes into it, how it was grown, how animals are slaughtered (or whether we should eat animals at all). How many of us use moral criteria when compiling our shopping lists? We look for the labels that identify ‘free range’, ‘organic’, or ‘fair trade’`… and we also have to bear in mind the many individuals with food allergies (real or imaginary) and the vegetarians. Suddenly the kosher restrictions don’t look so restrictive after all… 

 

Whatever the reasons for our choices, we can easily become obsessive about them. We can forget that other people are free to make different choices (Romans 14:5,6) - and that those with coeliac disease or serious food allergies don’t have a choice. 

 

But the bottom line is this: “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). 

 

There's a lot of truth in what you say.  I am gluten and lactose intolerant, others may be diabetic or unable to digest fiber.  I don't believe we should obsess about these things.  Just not overeating is enough.  Hard to do in our world though. 

[missmuffet]

I think it is important what we put in our bodies.I have cut out on all caffeine.The only caffeine I consume is my white tea which is very low in caffeine.I also do not buy any food or drinks with food coloring.I would like to see them ban food coloring in everything.

I am also lactose intolerant but some foods are worse than others.

[MorningGlory]

I think it is important what we put in our bodies.I have cut out on all caffeine.The only caffeine I consume is my white tea which is very low in caffeine.I also do not buy any food or drinks with food coloring.I would like to see them ban food coloring in everything.

I am also lactose intolerant but some foods are worse than others.

 

NO CAFFIENE???  Oh no, Bopeep, how do you stay awake all day?  I'm useless without my coffee. 

[Guest shiloh357]

They say that at the grocery store don't buy from the aisle (except for spices).  They (meaning dieticians) say that only shopping from the produce, fresh meat and dairy sections are the way to go.

 

I don't know how to cut out coffee!!     That would be really hard.

[Guest shiloh357]

Me too.   I am as useless as an air conditioner in Antarctica without my coffee.

[missmuffet]

 

I think it is important what we put in our bodies.I have cut out on all caffeine.The only caffeine I consume is my white tea which is very low in caffeine.I also do not buy any food or drinks with food coloring.I would like to see them ban food coloring in everything.

I am also lactose intolerant but some foods are worse than others.

 

NO CAFFIENE???  Oh no, Bopeep, how do you stay awake all day?  I'm useless without my coffee. 

 

It was difficult at first.That also includes chocolate which I love but I feel better so it was worth it.

[missmuffet]

They say that at the grocery store don't buy from the aisle (except for spices).  They (meaning dieticians) say that only shopping from the produce, fresh meat and dairy sections are the way to go.

 

I don't know how to cut out coffee!!      That would be really hard.

A person who decides to go off caffeine has to do it slowly or they can get some really bad headaches.I agree with the food selection.A healthier choice.Many of the canned and frozen foods are loaded with sodium.

[missmuffet]

Me too.   I am as useless as an air conditioner in Antarctica without my coffee.

Well right now I could use that useless a/c since it will be over 100 degrees today  

[Omegaman 3.0]

NO CAFFIENE???  Oh no, Bopeep, how do you stay awake all day?  I'm useless without my coffee. 

 

 

Funny you should mention this. I was just on this topic the other day. I do not like hot beverages, so I am not a regular coffee drinker. However, I like the taste of (sweetened) coffee, so have considered adding some cold coffee drinks to my routine. Now, since I know that caffeine is a drug (legal or not, I thought I would look into it a bit (see my page that has some info). 

When I read that you seem to need caffeine, it reminded me of one of the interesting things I ran into, Apparently, people often feel more alert and clear thinking etc, after caffeine. However, there seems to be evidence that it is not so much the caffeine that is giving one a boost, as it is that caffeine cancels some of the side effects of wtihdrawel from caffeine addiction (such as tiredness).